Breakfast was quiet that morning. Claudia had come down the stairs, her face fresh with happiness and joy-especially when she had seen Gaston. The light in her eyes was apparent, and John immediately noticed it. "Well, he and I are very glad that you could join us" he said. "Good morning" she said softly to Gaston. He smiled, but it nearly hurt to. He then realized how hard it was going to be to hide his hideous streak from her-this innocent young woman. "I think we should put on another show tonight for the children, they loved our last performances as much as the adults" John was telling them at the counter. Claudia's eyes had lit up. "That could also let the others know that the tavern is more than just a drinking hub, it can be for families too," she said. Gaston raised an eyebrow and thought the idea was foolish and nearly said so, but then he saw the look in Claudia's eyes, and grew silenced. "Perhaps a puppet show?" John suggested, "waltzing" Claudia added, "for the adults" she blushed in Gaston's direction. "Apple bobbing" Susan said in the background. "Great," John said. "I'll be going to the village now and collect what we need for the occasion" Claudia smiled, and then linked her arm into Gaston's "would you do me the honor of accompanying me?" She asked. He smiled somewhat, taken aback. "Oh, yes, of course" he said, finding it difficult to say no.
Gaston and Claudia had strolled the streets of Paris, eyeing the sights together. To his surprise, Claudia asked him about himself, "do you recall anything?" She wondered. "I am vaguely starting to remember" he lied. "I wonder what you were like" she said softly. Trust me, it is something you do NOT want to know, he thought. She took him into the city market, and purchased some apple baskets and cloth for the stage. The villagers were still giving the couple bizarre looks. Claudia seemed genuinely surprised when they were confronted with three similar looking young ladies, one in green, one in Red, and the other in gold. They all looked angered. "Who is she?" One whispered, "I thought he was dead!" The other commented, to Gaston's chagrin, they all quickly came over. "Gaston!" The one in Red spoke first. "Ladies" he said shyly, "do I know you?" He asked. "Know us?" The one in Green demanded, "why wouldn't you?" The other in Gold added. "Excuse us, ladies, but he's suffering from amnesia, there is no possibility of him remembering you" Claudia offered in Gaston's defense. Gaston had only smirked silently. The one in red began to sob. Gaston couldn't help but chuckle to himself when he saw Claudia roll her eyes. He found her so unlike anyone he had ever known. "Dear," Claudia had addressed the lady in red, "it is rather foolish of you to cry over spilled milk" the other woman gave her a baffled look, "it's a metaphor" she tried explaining, but the other girl still did not understand. Gaston turned to whisper something to Claudia, "you are obviously wasting your time," he said with a playfully devilish smile-reminding her of their first encounter. She gave him a playful grin in return and then replied once more to the three ladies, "excuse us," she said. Claudia laughed abit louder once they were rid of the three ladies. "I would have given anything to know how they came to know a man like you. I pity you, seriously I do" she joked. Gaston found himself laughing out loud in his boisterously loud voice. "Not everyone has a cultured mind like you" he found himself saying; though the words struck him as odd. He had never found himself paying complements to anyone, other than about himself. "Thank you," she said very softly-taken aback with the same force-since she had immediately noted his sincerity, and felt warmed and happy by it. They had returned to the tavern and aided John in setting up for the evening. Before they had all finished, there were already younger children coming in, "Claudy!" One of them had run directly for Claudia "hello there Robby!" She outreached her arms for the little boy.

Gaston had watched in silent marvel. He had came up slowly and asked, "who is this?" "Oh," Claudia had smiled brightly; "this is Robert, my brother," she answered. "You have a brother?" She nodded; "he lives with my aunt, but her and I" she trailed off when Robby said loudly that he wanted to bob for apples. Claudia had nearly forgotten everything, in her enjoyment of the children and dancing. Susan had even brought along her husband. Gaston had been standing in the corner, watching Claudia silently, thinking of how beautiful she was in candlelight. He even found his inward jealously growing when he had seen her talking to another young man. John had not been surprised by the young girl's popularity; she had always been a favorite of the village. Gaston was still standing and waiting in the wings of darkness as the dancing picked up gradually. Claudia had led a Virginia wheel and tried to get everyone involved, even the children. She had then surprised Gaston, as she took his hand, nearly against his will, leading him into the center of the circle. He found himself laughing with her only a few moments later-as everyone who knew her was instantly touched by her warmth and vivacity.
Afterward, once the tavern had grown silent; John was helping the other barmaids clean up. "I drew this for you" Robby handed his sister a picture that said, "I miss you sissy" with a huge heart around it. "Oh, thank you!" Claudia threw her arms around her brother. "I love and miss you terribly," she uttered, as Gaston listened to their conversation from afar. "Then why not come home?" Her brother whispered. "I" she nearly grew silenced when she knew that Gaston had been attempting to listen, and lowered her voice even farther "I can't" she said. A few moments later, in the nearly deathly silence, Gaston had approached her as she stood by the window, as Claudia watched the carriage leave slowly. She looked to have tears in her eyes. He had not ever pretended to sympathize with anyone plights-besides his own, since he had nearly driven Belle's father off to an asylum out of his pure hatred-but this time was different. He felt something extremely different than he had in the past and it was beginning to frighten-and arouse him.
Gaston was finding it a more of a daunting task to hide his affection for Claudia, and his true nature. He felt tightness in his throat-that struck fear in him. Could he-be falling in love with her? Seriously this time? He was beginning to admit to himself that his obsession with Belle was merely that-only an obsession based on petty issues that had centered on her beauty. He had never considered who she truly was at all. He had never cared-before now. Claudia seemed to be grapping with the same issues, as she had tried sleeping that night, but found her mind wondering towards Gaston. Who is he-really? She found herself asking over and over.
Gaston was sitting on the porch steps of the tavern, drinking coffee, and watching the people go by. Claudia had found herself gazing at him from her second story window. She felt her heart longing to reach out to him-and help him regain a renewed sense of himself, but the inner part of her was terribly afraid of what might what happen if she did.

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